What is the process where organic nitrogen is converted into inorganic nitrogen by soil microbes?

The process where organic nitrogen is converted into inorganic nitrogen by soil microbes is known as mineralization. During mineralization, microorganisms break down organic matter, such as plant and animal residues, leading to the release of ammonia and other inorganic forms of nitrogen that plants can utilize. This transformation is essential in the nitrogen cycle, as it makes nitrogen available to plants, which is crucial for their growth and development.

In contrast, immobilization refers to the process where inorganic nitrogen is temporarily transformed into organic forms by microorganisms, effectively making it unavailable for plant uptake. Decomposition describes the broader process of breaking down organic material, which includes mineralization as a sub-process but is not solely focused on nitrogen. Fixation refers to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into organic compounds by certain bacteria, which is a different process entirely.